Albania considers sports betting monopoly

The government is considering a state monopoly on the segment as part of a new gambling scheme in the country.

Albania.- New regulations are soon to be implemented in Albania, setting a sports betting ban in residential areas, as well as electronic casinos being relocated. Amid that restructuring, the government is considering a state-monopoly on sports betting as they look to further control gambling nationwide.

“We are considering the possibility of treating sports betting and betting on races as a state monopoly and allow their operation by specially set up state structures,” a government report says.

Until now, gambling is privately run and generates over €130 million in income yearly, employing around 7,000 people. However, it could soon be partially turned into a state-run activity as sports betting would be controlled by the government, as it happens in many other European Union countries.

According to Prime Minister Edi Rama, upcoming changes – to be enforced as of January 2019 – will limit gambling and generate an extra €700 million in household consumption. However, there’s some opposition from the Democratic Party, which voiced its concern over gambling, and the government, allegedly being linked with organised crime, accusations that have been quickly dismissed by the majority.